Asia Pacific Programme hosts event on Japan and the Global South
News release
jon.wallace
The event, held in partnership with Japan House in London, discussed Tokyo’s efforts to engage with Global South countries at a time of flux in international affairs.
Ben Bland, Director of Chatham House’s Asia-Pacific Programme, chaired an event at Japan House on 27 January 2026 to discuss Japan’s foreign policy and the contest for influence in the Global South.
The event discussed how Global South countries are responding to great power competition for influence, including China’s growing interests – and how successful other powers, like Japan, have been in their own engagement.
Speaking at the event were Professor Ken Jimbo of Keio University; Rebecca Nadin, Director, Global Risks and Resilience Programme, ODI Global; and Chietigj Bajpaee, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House.
Ben Bland said:
‘As the US turns inwards and global institutions break down, the Global South has emerged as an arena for economic and diplomatic global competition, with a range of nations competing for influence.
‘Our discussion at Japan House London provided an important opportunity to discuss what Japan can achieve in terms of its relationships with the developing world, how Global South countries perceive the difference in approaches from Japan, the US and China – and what role countries in the Global South can play in reshaping the global order at this time of flux.’
